Chapter 84: Power of Vulcanus’s Craft

“Come on, let’s keep it up. What matters now is quantity over quality. We don’t need to push for SS-grade—just S-grade will do. Let’s produce as many as we can!”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

Ore, thread spools, lumber—various raw materials were broken down and refined by the Decomposition Team to extract the pure resources needed for crafting.

The Production Team then used those materials to create items.

A total of six Souls of the Blacksmith swung their hammers busily.

This was exactly why I was able to mass-produce items so quickly.

Although three of them were responsible for decomposition, having this many blacksmiths hammering at the same time inevitably meant a huge output.

Moreover, even the Blacksmith’s Assistants were crafting at a speed that, judging by comparison with other blacksmiths, was remarkably fast.

Their skills, having improved significantly, closely trailed right behind me.

“But I can’t lose!”

I took my place beside Production No. 1.

Though it wasn’t my personal workshop, there was an anvil set up here, designated as my spot.

Holding the materials the Decomposition Team had extracted in real time, I began crafting.

[Using Crafting Skill.]

“Bang!”

The hammer swung down with vigor.

As I told the assistants, right now quality was not the priority—quantity was.

In Korea, countless Hunters existed, and the largest group among them was the so-called “mid-level” Hunters, those between levels 150 and 200.

Since the goal was to supply gear to all of them, there was no time to waste.

“Bang!”

Normally, I would take painstaking care to break points with precision, but this situation was different.

A slight miss was acceptable.

A bit more forceful strike was fine.

As fast as possible.

As many as possible.

Without leaving room to carve rune inscriptions, I hammered out items at maximum speed.

[Crafting completed.]

[‘Middle Grade Association Sword’ obtained.]

[Middle Grade Association Sword]

Type: Sword

Grade: SS

Restriction: Level 200 or higher, approved by the Hunter Association

Description: Supply equipment manufactured by Vulcanus’s Forge for the Hunter Association.

Even so, SS-grade items came out more often than not.

And they were level 200 items, no less.

Despite Korea’s crisis, my crafting—although it consumed my time and materials—was proving to be a form of service.

– Vulcanus.

“Yes?”

– The deal with the Association has been finalized. Item prices were set based on level restrictions and grade.

“I’m sure Nam Bora handled the pricing well.”

– Also, since they said funds were short, we traded using benefits we receive.

As an addition to the previous proposal with the Association, the Vulcanus Guild and Vulcanus’s Forge’s Association fees have been waived.

– Please review everything once more later.

“Thanks. I know you’re busy.”

– Don’t mention it. I’ll get back to sorting out supplies for Vulcanus Guild. Dividing into twenty teams actually takes more effort than I expected.

The Vulcanus Guild was currently split into twenty teams.

They didn’t recruit more members.

Originally, ten teams of ten members each were active, but now they were divided into twenty teams of five members each.

The leader of the second team became the vice-captain.

With the sheer number of monsters appearing, there was no other choice.

In fact, the Vulcanus Guild members had grown strong enough that five people could handle most monsters.

“If it’s too tough, recruit more staff. You can handle that, right?”

– It’s fine for now. If a newbie came in during such a busy time and panicked, I think I’d get angry first.

“Ah…”

What was that called again?

I think I’ve heard it before.

Control freak?

Someone who gets stressed if things aren’t controlled exactly as they want…

I guess that’s her nature.

After avoiding her for a few days, I suddenly felt sorry.

[Crafting completed.]

[‘Middle Grade Association Armor’ obtained.]

“Hehe, I’m still the fastest, right?”

“Indeed, Master.”

“Now you even know how to flatter?”

I was worried the assistants might surpass me in crafting skill.

Thankfully, I was still one step ahead.

In item production speed, and overall item quality.

[Level up.]

Just crafting items was increasing my level, which meant the Mining Team, including the Combat Team, must be fulfilling their roles faithfully in the Mines as well.

As I continued crafting, I turned on the TV.

Even though it was a workshop, it used to be a one-room apartment, so the TV from the original setup was still there.

– Until a moment ago, the Eternal Guild was being pushed back by monsters, but now they’ve completely driven them away!

– That’s truly a relief.

– Thanks to the Eternal Guild, nearby civilians who couldn’t evacuate in time were able to stay safe.

– Now, let’s meet Park Si-hwan, the guild master of the Eternal Guild.

The screen showed Hunters drenched in sweat and stained with monster blood.

Among them, the leader naturally stood out.

The camera focused on Park Si-hwan’s face.

– “Hunter Park Si-hwan, I’ve heard you were being overwhelmed by monsters for quite some time. Could you share your mindset that helped you defeat them?”

It was a formal question.

Usually, Hunters answered these kinds of questions formally as well.

“I gave it my all to protect the citizens. I trusted my guild members.”

Such words.

But Park Si-hwan’s answer was different.

– Mindset…? Unfortunately, monsters aren’t the kind you can defeat with mindset alone.

– Huh? Then…?

– Thanks to this gear.

Park Si-hwan raised his weapon.

Despite having cut down countless monsters, the blade showed no damage at all.

Just by lightly wiping it off, the sword gleamed like new.

At the lower part of the blade was a clear engraving.

A volcano in red against a black background.

The Vulcanus Mark.

– “It’s equipment supported by the Hunter Association.”

– I heard the Hunter Association requested Vulcanus to produce this gear.

– Though mass-produced… it’s SS-grade. Level 200 gear, no less.

The reporter gasped at Park Si-hwan’s words and asked:

– “Level 200 gear? Vulcanus is considered low-level, so are you saying Vulcanus really made level 200 items?”

– I don’t know how it happened either, but it’s certain. This is gear made by Vulcanus.

It wasn’t just the sword.

The armor he wore.

The gear all his guild members were wearing.

All Vulcanus-made.

– Therefore, I credit Vulcanus for this victory.

Park Si-hwan bowed toward the camera.

Of course, that greeting was partly to curry favor with me and also to polish his image on the broadcast, among other reasons.

“Hehe, that feels good.”

Still, hearing that on the news made me smile.

My lips curled upward.

“Did you hear? They’re giving me credit.”

“Yes, we heard.”

“Indeed, you are the master.”

“Right?”

The assistants’ flattery was becoming more skillful, but whatever.

The next news report covered a broader situation.

– Trolls are advancing into the city from a Gate Break near Goyang.

Hunters are repelling them, but the trolls’ exceptional regeneration makes it hard to bring them down.

– Citizens, please check the Hunter Alert App and evacuate quickly from dangerous areas.

The monster on screen was a Troll.

A green-skinned beast with powerful regeneration.

Even if you pierced its heart, it would heal.

The only ways to kill them were a single strike severing the neck, smashing the head, or burning their weak point with fire.

Even those were difficult.

Their skin was tough, their bones thick and hard.

So most Hunters couldn’t slice a troll’s neck in one blow.

But then—

– Oh, but now!

Swoosh!

– Hunters are cutting down trolls!

– They’re severing trolls’ thick necks in a single strike!

Hunters who were previously engaged in a stalemate with trolls suddenly began slicing their necks off.

Originally, even a powerful strike could only cut halfway through.

But trolls’ necks would regenerate and quickly turn the tide.

Now, Hunters were cutting trolls’ necks with such ease.

The reporter quickly realized why.

– Vulcanus! Vulcanus’s gear has arrived!

– Can just switching weapons really make you this strong?

– The shield bearers too.

– They were struggling to hold back the trolls’ advance with dented shields, but now they were pushing trolls back.

It was incredible!

Hunters immediately began cutting trolls after receiving my gear.

And it wasn’t just here.

– Harpies that appeared near N Seoul Tower are falling to Hunters’ arrows!

– Speed, power! Everything is completely different from before!

– Harpies are falling helplessly after Hunters received Vulcanus gear!

– Hunters supported with Vulcanus gear are breaking the Ironclad Turtle’s shell in Incheon Sea.

– Because of that, the Ironclad Turtle can’t come ashore…

Amazing!

– Even under Giant Ant attacks, the armor didn’t get a single scratch!

– Vulcanus’s gear is protecting Hunters…

News about those equipped with my items echoed everywhere.

After all, the mass-produced equipment my assistants and I had crafted already exceeded several hundred sets.

It was only natural that word would spread soon.

“Guys, see that?”

“Yes.”

“Those are all items we made. Let’s push a little harder!”

After boosting the assistants’ morale, I swung the hammer even more vigorously.

Seeing my gear being used so well on live broadcast gave me energy.

Well, psychological encouragement like this probably didn’t mean much to the assistants, who produced items mechanically under my orders.

But wouldn’t it make some difference in mood?

“Let’s go!”

Unlike Hunters fighting monsters on the front lines, crafting and support Hunters often went unnoticed.

The news usually showed Hunters battling monsters, not blacksmiths swinging hammers.

But this time was different.

Even though combat footage was being aired, people paid attention not only to the Hunters but also to their gear.

Thinking that someone was watching made me focus even more.

Like studying better in a cafe, maybe.

“Bang!”

Time flew by.

Half a day had already passed, but I didn’t stop hammering.

I had already slept plenty.

Stayed up all night.

No, I had gotten used to swinging the hammer continuously for days.

Every additional item I crafted could save a life, so I hammered with even more strength.

– The Hunter Association’s initially predicted casualty rate has drastically dropped.

– This is thanks not only to the proud Korean Hunters but also Hunters like Vulcanus who assist behind the scenes. Because of that, the situation began stabilizing rapidly.

The number of items requested by the Hunter Association was nearly fulfilled.

Just as the tension was about to ease—

– Vulcanus.

“Yes?”

An unexpected news came.

– A gate is about to open right in front of the Vulcanus Guild building.